Local Citizens Rally for Protection from Increased Coal and Tar Sands Exporting

from Friends of the San Juans

Protestors at recent anti-coal rally.

Over 100 concerned citizens from San Juan County participated in the “NO COAL” Rally on September 8th at the San Juan County Fairgrounds. FRIENDS of the San Juans organized the event to educate the community about coal and tar sands exporting in the Salish Sea.

Participants learned about the issues during a panel discussion with Val Viers from SeaSound Remote Sensing Network, Adam Gaya, U.S Campaigns Organizer with Forest Ethics and Fred Felleman, a marine consultant with Friends of the Earth. Musician Dana Lyons also performed the first concert of his “Great Coal Train Tour.”

“I didn’t fully understand the reality of tar sands exporting before attending the event on Saturday. I appreciated the opportunity to come together with other concerned community members to learn more about the issue,” said Erin Corra from San Juan Island.

Current proposed coal, tar sand and oil export terminals in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia could mean over 1,400 bulk carrier ships would transit through the Salish Sea every year.

“This is a crucial moment for San Juan County. We need to ensure our specific issues are addressed in the environmental impact statements for the proposed projects. It was very inspiring to see concerned citizens come together and show that they’re ready to do what it takes to get our voices heard, “said Katie Fleming, Community Engagement Director at FRIENDS.

The environmental impact scoping period for the Gateway Pacific Terminal, the closet of the proposed projects at Cherry Point outside of Bellingham, is expected to open next month. “That will be our time to put San Juan County on the map and let the permitting agencies know that Islanders want to make sure the Salish Sea is protected from all potential impacts of increased shipping of fossil fuels,” said Fleming.